Day 3: Changed
Good to Know:
Well, we all know we’re sinners! How bad off are we? Today, we discover we were beyond hope because of our many sins. But our kind God gave us new life in Jesus Christ. He has a great plan for you!
Ephesians 2:1-22 NLT
Made Alive with Christ
Once you were dead because of your disobedience and your many sins. You used to live in sin, just like the rest of the world, obeying the devil—the commander of the powers in the unseen world. He is the spirit at work in the hearts of those who refuse to obey God. All of us used to live that way, following the passionate desires and inclinations of our sinful nature. By our very nature we were subject to God’s anger, just like everyone else.
But God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so much, that even though we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead. (It is only by God’s grace that you have been saved!) For he raised us from the dead along with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ Jesus. So God can point to us in all future ages as examples of the incredible wealth of his grace and kindness toward us, as shown in all he has done for us who are united with Christ Jesus.
God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.
Oneness and Peace in Christ
Don’t forget that you Gentiles used to be outsiders. You were called “uncircumcised heathens” by the Jews, who were proud of their circumcision, even though it affected only their bodies and not their hearts. In those days you were living apart from Christ. You were excluded from citizenship among the people of Israel, and you did not know the covenant promises God had made to them. You lived in this world without God and without hope. But now you have been united with Christ Jesus. Once you were far away from God, but now you have been brought near to him through the blood of Christ.
For Christ himself has brought peace to us. He united Jews and Gentiles into one people when, in his own body on the cross, he broke down the wall of hostility that separated us. He did this by ending the system of law with its commandments and regulations. He made peace between Jews and Gentiles by creating in himself one new people from the two groups. Together as one body, Christ reconciled both groups to God by means of his death on the cross, and our hostility toward each other was put to death.
He brought this Good News of peace to you Gentiles who were far away from him, and peace to the Jews who were near. Now all of us can come to the Father through the same Holy Spirit because of what Christ has done for us.
A Temple for the Lord
So now you Gentiles are no longer strangers and foreigners. You are citizens along with all of God’s holy people. You are members of God’s family. Together, we are his house, built on the foundation of the apostles and the prophets. And the cornerstone is Christ Jesus himself. We are carefully joined together in him, becoming a holy temple for the Lord. Through him you Gentiles are also being made part of this dwelling where God lives by his Spirit.
Good to Do:
What dead things from my past nature am I still hanging onto?
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How easily I return to old behaviors that Christ has forgiven…again. God help me to stay in your will
Your words ring true with me as well. I need to remember I have a responsibility to family. Being part of God’s family doesn’t cure all our troubles overnight. Keep on keeping on!
Prayers for strength.
Praying for strength to overcome whatever you are facing! Nothing is impossible with God!
I am the same way.
Right????!!!! It’s only by asking for His help that I don’t keep slipping into old ways of thinking or talking or behaving!!! It’s only with the Lord’s help that I can let go of a grudge almost immediately!!!! Keep asking and He will guide and help!!!!
Amen to that
Never feel alone in this! Not only do you have God but there are so many of us struggling to leave certain sins in the past!
So true. Its wonderful knowing we are not alone in this. He has walked me through all times in my life, even when I wasn’t listening.
Praying for strength for you. Keep your eyes on Christ. The enemy comes to kill steal and destroy and will try every thing to destract you. Keep praying keep reading and be in fellowship with others. You are in my prayers
How many times will God forgive me for reverting back to those old behaviors?
It is sometimes easy to revert back, which is why we must continue to pray for direction. Praying!
Letting go of pass sins is difficult. However, once we are followers of Christ and we ask forgiveness for our sins, He his just and will cleanse us white as snow. I need to remind myself, if I am still feeling guilt, once I have repented, it is not from God. Guilt is from Satan, conviction is from the Holy Spirit.
I absolutely love this. Perfectly said.
So true. The guilt can be crippling but that isn’t for God. Satan wants to beat us down over our past but once we have repented to the Lord they are no more, he has washed them away.
Absolutely true, Satan holds things over your head but with God is where conviction comes through with the Holy Spirit. You can be free and not be in bondage but it is a process. With studying God’s word, prayer, and knowing with God all things are possible.
What happens if I don’t repent? Or if I don’t know what I did wrong to be able ask forgiveness? I thought Jesus died for ALL my sins 2000+ years ago? If I have to keep asking, doesn’t that put the act of forgiveness on MY back? If it’s up to me to ask for it, doesn’t that make my act of repentence more powerful than His “once for all” sacrifice? And if he threw away the rulebook that defines sin, how would He even know what my sin is when I confess it?
Acts 2:38 requires repentenance. Ignorance is not an excuse. I am not trying to be disrespectful at all. Let me explain it this way. If you break a law but you didn’t know it was wrong do you get a free pass? No obedience is still required. All God requires is an obedient heart and our willingness to love Him. He will show you where you lack and need to improve. He knows what we do because of his omnipotent power. He didn’t throw the rules out the window. In Matthew, Jesus is asked what is the greatest of all… Read more »
The OT is clear that there are a LOT of things we do that are sinful & worthy of death that we DON’T know we do.
Forgiveness was given once for all 2000+ years ago. You don’t have to ask for it. You receive it. Growing up in that grace is another subject called santification.
I think Jesus wants to see our heart in action here. When we are in relationship with Jesus and transforming our life to become more like Him, our heart needs to change. I think, as followers of Jesus, we don’t really look at it like we “have to” ask for forgiveness, but rather we “want to”. It’s like saying you are sorry to someone you hurt that you care about. You know you did or said something wrong, but now own it. Ask for forgiveness, apologize, learn from your mistakes, and try not to be hurtful again. Jesus wants our… Read more »
Well said. It’s about relationship. NOT duty. Some believe that forgiveness doesn’t come unless requested. With Savior Jesus, forgiveness is implied… but so is growing up in the relationship.
In my younger days I tried so hard to be perfect and when I’d fail I just couldn’t forgive myself. I would ask God’s forgiveness over and over again, but it was never enough. When these words about God’s grace sunk in I finally learned to let go and truly trust that He forgives even me. I find I need to ask God’s forgiveness every day, but I’m thankful that He helps me to recognize my sins and that He always shows His grace and mercy and love.
It is hard to let go of the things we lay down to the lord it is not to be picked back up but as we grow in christ we know that laying it down is the things we need because with god leading us we dont need those past things and God leads us to the living water that gives us peace love and a sound mind!
Anger… embarrassingly I still have a lot of anger from things which have passed, and I don’t know why. It isn’t anything worth hanging on to nor worth reliving. I pray for patience and kindness. More so the opportunity to give that patience and kindness to those around me. To show that one’s past doesn’t have to write their future.
Praying for you brother! We all have temptations and different areas that are the hardest to overcome like anger. Tell our Father your struggles and that you can’ t overcome them without His power!
Thank you so much. I completely agree. Through struggle and hardly I’ve been able to recognize the good which comes from it.
I too used to carry anger. I don’t anymore. I simply asked the Lord to help me forgive those that I was harboring resentment and most importantly asked for His help yo forgive myself. Once I truly was willing to give it all, the Lord took it away. Joy comes natural now. Praying you will heal
I understand as well, I held a lot of anger about my childhood it is has been a challenge but once forgiveness is extended it truly is freeing to you. See, satan holds that anger to remind us and hold us back. The anger really doesn’t cripple the people we are angry with, it is self limiting, it separates us from the peace that God freely gives. Thankyou for reminding me this is a daily gift. Praying for you
I agree with the answers that where given. But the most important is that you have to find where the anger comes from. It could come from one incident or a thing that runs in the family. Either way to get piece from this you need to find where it comes from. Then pray that God will remove it.
Inspired by the Holy Spirit, Paul’s insight has set us right for 2000 years and counting! In this passage he reminds me that salvation is granted based on God’s Grace, not any good deed(s); but wait!…in the next breath he reminds me that, now being saved, I am compelled to do what? GOOD THINGS! I love that Paul doesn’t end with “good deeds don’t save you”; rather, he encourages me to open my heart to the Spirit, to unite with Christ through salvation, and thereafter to follow my God-desired destiny: to act in love and compassion, to unite in fellowship,… Read more »
I needed to read this because their is alot to think about.
This really showed that I don’t need to hold onto my past sins. Just ask for forgiveness and try not to recreate the same sins. But if I do, I can ask for mercy again and not hold onto it.
It is hard to wrap your head around this. Jesus died for us to forgive the sins of those around and those to come. I do feel like I struggle with asking for forgiveness only to go back to my old ways without trying to change. I need to recognize those old ways and change them for the better. I want to do right without reverting to the old ways that only hurt myself. It is time to make a change for the better.
I am thankful for God’s love for us. Joining people together to celebrate our acceptance in eternal life.
I’m not always sure though what things god wants me too let go of
Salvation is a gift from God. There is nothing we can do to make is good enough for God. This means we all humble ourselves to accept Christ love and mercy to accept his gift of salvation.
I need to remind myself that I am forgiven for the sins that I have committed and remind myself to not go back to my old habits
So happy the message of salvation is for all of us!!!
Yes, salvation is for all
Interestingly, the sermon at my church this morning was about the story of the exodus and how God will lead us out of bondage but he will also lead us through the journey that it takes us to end up where we need to be .
I love thinking about the journey I’m on but don’t know it. I go through my every day routine and then, BAM! I realize through a series of events that I have been led somewhere and that somewhere is exactly where I was headed without knowing it.
I am praying through the thought that my past sins are bringing my current or rather any trials. I have taken them to the cross and asked for forgiveness, but sadly I also think my storms I go through might be teachable moments or that I am doing something wrong or still being punished. My mother was good at understanding how faith works and she is already home at 70 and I still struggle with her leaving so early like that. She would also know how to guide me. I have been a Christian a long time and yet many… Read more »
Prayers for you Michelle!
Michelle, praying for you sister! We all still that old sinful nature that draws us to temptation. And as we resist through the power of the Holy Spirit and obey God, we are strengthened and begin to grow and mature. I have be following Jesus for 40 yrs now and the fight to live holy and to fail daily, and seek forgiveness is constant. But God is rich in mercy, the hard part for me sometimes is forgiving myself. There is no condemnation for those who are in Christ. God bless and keep you my sister!
Praying for you and battling with you.
I don’t repeat my biggest regret in life but it still haunts me and Satan tried to tell me I am not good enough and that I can’t be forgiven or that I did it wrong…
I’m reminded of the Casting Crowns song “Voice of Truth.” Satan is a liar.
But the voice of truth tells me a different story
The voice of truth says, “Do not be afraid!”
The voice of truth says, “This is for My glory”
Out of all the voices calling out to me
I will choose to listen and believe the voice of truth.
We’ve all been there Kari and what is so odd is the one we know is “bad” and will always try to tempt us and coerce us to leave Gods way is the one we let guide us over and over again. Then we feel guilty when we know in our hearts we are already forgiven.
Someone once told me that when we sin after being saved, we are dragging Jesus through it with us because He is in our heart after getting saved. Makes sense and it explains how things can get so bad when we do this . This convicts me
God has forgiven us all.
Thank you Lord. You did all the work to make the choice to follow you so easy. We are one body, one church to proclaim your love and mercy to the world.
I’m so thankful to be loved by my church family, some days it is all I have that keeps me going.
This is a perfect lesson for all of us but cannot wait to share it with my kids.
I need God to restore my life sometimes I feel discouraged and its really hard for me to my bible. With God help I know everything is possible,the road is long I need more prayer to keep me on the right path.
The changing part is so important with our salvation. Not only must our minds change but our hearts and vice versa. You know in the story of Jonah. When God used a big fish to swallow Jonah and he lived in the fish. Not only did he give his life over to God’s will and change emotionally and spiritually but he also came out change physically. Staying inside the body of a fish for so long he would have come out bleached and everyone around him would have looked at him and wondered and even asked what had happened to… Read more »
I still struggle with letting completely go of negative thoughts once I’ve forgiven someone. I know God holds no records of past sins, and I strive to let them go….but my human emotions are hard to contain…
I come to realize without God’s help, I would continue to slip back into my old behavior, which makes me feel that I’m not worthy to be called His daughter. Yet, I am reminded that He forgives me and I can press toward to what He is calling me to do.
An awakening post
I agree with the post before this one! So thankful for God’s renewed mercies everyday :-). Help me to stay in your will Father!!!!
I’m so thankful that God takes away our sins and helps us to turn away from them. I know I still have hangups, but God is working on me every day to be more like Him. It’s been an amazing journey that I’m excited to continue.
It can sometimes be difficult to accept the kind of Love God sheds upon us…unconditional, gracious, unmerited…. In our flesh we cannot fathom the greatest gift we can ever receive is something we can’t earn or work hard for; but free to ALL OF USE! Thank You Lord for loving me that much! 🙂
I am so glad that I have been made new. 🙂
We need to countuly empty out our hearts of things that are evil. By doing so we draw closer to God. We may not be good at this but it’s needs to be done.
Wow wonderful scripture! Spot on! God is so good :’)
Thank you for this day… It has provided revelation of my faith. Today marks a milestone of why I seek God through Jesus Christ, my Lord!
Holy Spirit thank you for your help, love mercy and grace. Amen!
Other than excepting Jesus as our Lord and Savior I know I’m saved also by when I do sin, in my heart I feel regret and remorse as before I knew Him it didn’t bother me! Thank You Jesus for not leaving me behind!❤️
I love that we all belong to God’s family through Jesus. Doesn’t matter what you look like or where you were born, Jesus unites us in oneness and peace. 💜
Jew, Gentile, Greek, American, foreigner, etc. we are all forgiven and we must strive to live without sin! We are all equal in Christ who forgives us over & over again!
I’m so thankful for God’s love, grace, and mercy!
So grateful to listen every am
Such an added family of prayers and a way of listening to church every single day as we start our week
We forgive because we have been forgiven much. Thank you Jesus!
Pray for guidance
Together we are God’s temple…the foundation and the cornerstone were laid long ago, but we are to continue in the building and maintenance of the CHURCH!!!
Praise God!
Praise God, He has given us peace with Him!!! No earning it on our own. A pure gift!!!
Thank you oh God for your wonderful mercy and grace. Thank you for the wonderful gift of salvation
It is so hard to start new good habits but hang on to old so easily.
I live the fact that GOD’S mercy is made new every day.
We all struggle to walk that path, to stay closer to good and away from evil, I pray today that we all find strength in the Jesus to continue on the right path and turn you back to the sins of my past.
Giving it ALL to God and allowing His plan for me instead of me getting in the way and trying to put safety nets in place is scary, but also peaceful. “I can do all things through Christ who strengthen me.”
Being able to forgive those that have hurt me deeply. I know it is what I need to do, but sometimes the pain just seeps back in.
Old things are passed away and all things have become new. May we never return to the old ways
We are not saved by believing. It’s when we are baptised.
Olivia, not according to scripture. John 3:16 explains that we only have to believe and accept. The baptism is a public statement, if you will, and I like to think of it as the open invitation to the Holy Spirit but whosoever believes will have everlasting life.